Liverpool Team of the Decade 2000: 2010

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A rather successful 00's has transpired for Liverpool fans with the trophy cabinet well stocked up.

Unfortunately, the elusive League title remains. When looking back at the squads that have been built it is a wonder how Liverpool have not won at least one league title.

The following players I think have provided extra effort to the Liverpool cause and I believe in their prime, we would have definitely would have been successful in the league.

 

Some facts of the 00's

Coaches since 2000: Gerard Houllier, Rafa Benitez, Roy Hodgson (current)

Trophies Won: 

Gerard Houllier: League Cup (2001), FA Cup (2001), UEFA Cup (2001), FA Charity Shield (2001), UEFA Super Cup (2001), League Cup (2003) 

Rafa Benitez: European Cup (2005), UEFA Super Cup (2005), FA Cup (2006), FA Community Shield (2006)

 

Goalkeeper

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Pepe Reina

Liverpool League Appearances: 266 

Numerous golden gloves awards and many records broken decorate Reina‘s Liverpool career. A consistent and intelligent keeper, Pepe Reina could very well be one of the best keepers in the Premier League between 2000 - 2010

Key Moment: West Ham FA Cup final 2006, Pepe Reina recovered his composure from a poor showing to save 3 penalties. 

Right Back

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Steve Finnan

Liverpool League Appearances: 145

“Mr Consistent” was an appropriate nickname for Steve Finnan. A quiet presence of the field, he was severely missed when off the field but when on it you didn’t really see a lot of his contribution.

Key Moment: Scoring vs. WBA making him only the second player ever to score in the five top divisions of English football.

Left Back

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John Arne Riise

Liverpool League Appearances: 234

Always remembered for that thunder bolt of a free kick against Manchester Utd. John Arne Riise also had a lot more skills besides a sweet left boot, Riise had strength, good cross and a strong direct running game.

Key Moment: Free Kick against Manchester Utd meant Riise became a Kop favourite and had a song invented.

Centre Back

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Sami Hyypia

Liverpool League Appearances: 317

A colossal figure for Liverpool throughout the 10 years he served and is widely regarded as Houiller best purchase for a measly 2.6 million. 

The towering centre back was voted in 19th place in Sky Sports' 'Top 50 Premier League Foreign Players', 45th in FourFourTwo magazine's 100 Greatest Foreign Players and 38th in Liverpool's 100 Players Who Shook the Kop survey.

Key Moment: Many consistent performances but that volley against Juventus was simply class.

Centre Back

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Jamie Carragher

Liverpool League Appearances: 435

Jamie Carragher is a Liverpool legend no doubt his name will be up with the past greats of Liverpool defenders. A consistent and determined character was evident in the 3-3 Istanbul final, where Carragher suffering from cramp continued to stop wave and wave of Milan attacks.

Key Moment: Istanbul vs. AC Milan 2005, the game of legends Carragher’s battered body un-relenting against the Milan onslaught is a thing of remembrance amongst Liverpool fans.

Defensive Midfielder

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Javier Mascherano

Liverpool League Apperances: 94

So soon after he left a bitter taste in many Liverpool fans by his transfer to Barcelona and his treatment of this great club, there is no doubt his footballing ability. His ability to break up opposition attacks and pitbull like approach on the field, means his presence will be a big loss for the upcoming season.

Key Moment: The day Rafa signed him and made him a better player. Javier recently stated “ Rafa thought me tactics” He became a world class player under his tenure.

Centre Midfielder

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Didi Hamann

Liverpool League Appearances: 191

Another great Houiller buy, Didi Hamann was a steal at 8 million from Newcastle. Different in his role than Javier Mascherano, Hamman preferred to use more intelligence and timing rather than sheer volume of running employed by Javier. Hamann also popped up on occasion with some valuable goals.

Key Moment: Scoring the first penalty in Isanbul was a show of character from the German even though he had a broken foot!

Right Midfielder

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Steven Gerrard

Liverpool League Appearances: 366

In many ways one of the finest midfielders ever to grace a Liverpool shirt, Gerrard has stuck with the club through thick and thin and won nearly every honour he could, expect the elusive Premier League.

Key Moment: So many defining moments and great strikes, FA Cup final, Istanbul, Olympicos. Becoming captain in 2003, was his most key moment as he revelled in the new role and become one of the best midfielders in the modern game.

Left Midfielder

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Luis Garica

Liverpool Apperances: 77

A frustrating player but at times a genius is the only way to explain the diminutive Spaniard. Ask any Liverpool fan and you will get a different response on the player. I for one believed him to be an exceptional talent. Through the years the better times will be most remembered from Luis career and the more frustrating ones will be forgotten.

Key Moment: Goals in important match ups against Juventus and Chelsea on route to Champions League success in 2005. Luis scored 10 Champions League goals during his Liverpool career.

Forward

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Fernando Torres

Liverpool League Appearances: 82

An inspired piece of business, Torres has become a valuable part of the Liverpool squad and has struck a formidable partnership with Steven Gerrard. Unfortunately, injury has restricted the two’s playing time together.

Key Moment: In May 08, El Nino scored against Manchester City to record his 8th straight goal at Anfield and equal Liverpool legend Roger Hunts record for most consecutive goals scored at Anfield..

Forward

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Micheal Owen 

Liverpool League Appearances: 216

Another unpopular choice amongst fans for the way he left the club, but again there is no doubting the man’s ability. A speed merchant with an eye for goal Micheal Owen was a tremendous player throughout the years and stroke fear in every defender he went up against.

Key Moment: A flat Liverpool performance agonist Arsenal in the FA Cup final, with little impetuous going forward, Michael Owen transformed the game scoring two gaols in quick succession, giving Liverpool the win.

The Subs

Fowler just misses out.
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Subs:

Jerzey Dudek

Stephaine Henchoz

Markus Babbel

Xabi Alonso

Patrick Berger

Fernando Morienties

Robbie Fowler